Up to 120 Prosecutors to Be Dispatched to Three Special Prosecutors
About 10 Percent of All Front-Line Prosecutors Involved
With the passage of the three major special prosecutor bills?'Rebellion Special Prosecutor Act,' 'Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Act,' and 'Corporal Chae Special Prosecutor Act'?pushed by the Democratic Party, three large-scale special prosecutor teams, with a total of about 120 prosecutors dispatched, are set to launch simultaneously. Since President Lee Jae Myung is virtually certain not to exercise his veto, the launch of the special prosecutors is all but assured.
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is attending the 5th trial session for charges of leading a rebellion and abuse of power obstructing the exercise of rights at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
According to the legal community on June 5, once each special prosecutor is appointed through presidential promulgation and candidate recommendations, a wide-ranging investigation is expected to unfold, covering cases such as the Myeong Taegyun and Geonjin Monk scandals. Each special prosecutor will have a preparation period of up to 20 days from the date of appointment, but if swift evidence collection is necessary, related investigations can proceed even during this period.
The number of prosecutors to be dispatched to the three special prosecutors is up to 120 (60 for the Rebellion Special Prosecutor Act, 40 for the Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Act, and 20 for the Corporal Chae Special Prosecutor Act). As of the end of February, there were 2,004 prosecutors in total, of which 1,251 were front-line prosecutors. This means that 10% of all front-line prosecutors will be dispatched to the special prosecutors, a massive scale.
Looking at the history of special prosecutors, there have been two instances of so-called "dual" special prosecutors operating simultaneously, but this is the first time three will be in operation at once. In 1999, there were special prosecutors for the Korea Mint strike inducement case and the clothing lobby case, and in 2007, special prosecutors for the Samsung slush fund scandal and the BBK scandal operated concurrently.
The legal community and the prosecution are expected to be busy selecting candidates for special prosecutor appointments and securing dispatched prosecutors. Since securing capable investigative personnel is crucial for special prosecutors, a large-scale selection of competent prosecutors is expected with support from the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution.
President Lee Jae Myung is entering the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul on the 5th. 2025.6.5 Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers Group
The team expected to begin first is the special prosecutor for 'Investigation into the Rebellion and Treason by Former President Yoon Sukyeol and Others.' During the presidential election, the Democratic Party, which emphasized 'ending the rebellion,' passed a revised bill before the vote to increase the number of dispatched prosecutors for the rebellion special prosecutor from a maximum of 40 to 60. The Special Investigation Headquarters for Martial Law, established in December last year, consisted of 20 prosecutors (excluding military prosecutors), which is one-third of the new team.
The rebellion special prosecutor will not only investigate and prosecute allegations related to the 12·3 Martial Law, including rebellion, treason, and cover-up, but will also be responsible for maintaining the prosecution in ongoing trials. If the special prosecutor requests the submission of investigative records and evidence, or the transfer of ongoing cases from the prosecution, military prosecution, Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), or police, they are required to comply.
The police are also investigating former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sangmok for alleged involvement in the rebellion, former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin for alleged orders to cut off electricity and water to major media outlets, and the Presidential Security Service for alleged obstruction of the arrest of former President Yoon. The scope of martial law-related cases currently under investigation by the prosecution, police, and CIO to be handed over to the special prosecutor will be determined by the newly launched special prosecutor.
The 'Special Prosecutor for the Investigation into State Manipulation and Illegal Election Interference by Kim Keon Hee, Myeong Taegyun, Geonjin Monk, and Others' is expected to take over the following cases: the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's investigation into political broker Myeong Taegyun's alleged manipulation of opinion polls and intervention in party nominations; the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office's investigation into Geonjin Monk (Jeon Seongbae) and Kim Keon Hee's alleged bribery involving expensive necklaces and handbags; the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office's investigation into Kim Keon Hee's alleged involvement in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case; and the police investigation into alleged preferential changes to the Yangpyeong Expressway route.
Other wide-ranging targets for investigation include allegations of bribery through sponsorships to Kim Keon Hee's company Covana Contents, personnel intervention allegations, lobbying related to the death of Corporal Chae and a customs drug case, and allegations of intervention in the relocation of the presidential office and national contracts. The Kim Keon Hee special prosecutor's investigation period is 110 days, including a 20-day preparation period, with the possibility of two 30-day extensions. Up to 40 prosecutors can be dispatched. As the prosecution's investigations are already well advanced, there is speculation that the special prosecutor may summon Kim Keon Hee in the near future.
Former Marine Investigation Unit Commander (Colonel) Park Junghun, who was acquitted in the first trial related to the death of Marine Corporal Chae, is attending the second appeal pretrial hearing held at the Seoul High Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on May 16, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun
The 'Special Prosecutor for the Investigation into the Obstruction and Cover-up of the Death of Corporal Chae' is expected to take over the following cases: the CIO's investigation into alleged external pressure and lobbying by former President Yoon and others, and the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office's investigation into former Marine 1st Division Commander Lim Seonggeun's alleged occupational negligence resulting in death and abuse of authority.
Corporal Chae died in July 2023 during a search for missing persons in Yecheon-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, after being swept away by rapid currents. Afterward, allegations arose that the leadership had ordered a risky search without life jackets, and that the presidential office and Ministry of National Defense exerted external pressure on the initial investigation by the Marine Investigation Unit.
The CIO has been investigating allegations that former Minister of National Defense Lee Jongseop reversed his approval of the Marine Investigation Unit's findings due to anger from former President Yoon, and has been investigating abuse of authority charges against former President Yoon and officials from the presidential office and Ministry of National Defense. The Marine special prosecutor will be composed of up to 20 prosecutors, with an investigation period of 80 days including preparation, and up to 140 days if extended.
The investigation process of the three special prosecutors is expected to be relatively transparent to the public. Each special prosecutor act stipulates that, to guarantee the public's right to know, the investigation process, except for the facts of the charges, may be disclosed to the media through briefings.
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